Christopher Columbus High School
A Catholic School for Young Men in the Marist Tradition since 1958
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3 Explorers to Sign NFL Contracts
Christopher Columbus High School is proud to announce that two Explorers were drafted during the 2020 NFL Draft. A third Explorer has signed a free agent contract, bringing our total to 3 players entering the National Football League next season.
Chris ‘CJ’ Henderson was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1st round, 9th pick overall. The 2017 graduate and University of Florida standout had a breakout year as a true freshman, earning Freshman All-SEC notice with five starts in 11 contests and tied for second in the nation with touchdown returns on two of his four interceptions. He earned second-team All-SEC honors in his sophomore year after registering 38 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles. The following year, he was named a first-team All-SEC selection despite not being able to play a full season because of an ankle injury.
At the 2020 NFL Combine, Henderson ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash time for cornerbacks with a time of 4.39 seconds.
CJ played primarily running back at Columbus, notching 636 rushing yards combined during his final two seasons on the varsity level.
Josh Uche was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 2nd round, 60th pick overall. The 2016 graduate and University of Michigan standout spent much of his junior and senior seasons chasing down opposing quarterbacks and creating havoc in the backfield. He led the defense in sacks twice, racking up 15.5 during the 2018 (7.0 sacks) and 2019 (8.5) seasons. Uche played in 40 career games for the Wolverines, recording 56 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, one fumble record and two pass breakups.
In 2019, Uche was voted by his teammates as the Defensive Player of the Year after earning All-Big Ten second team honors from the coaches and third-team accolades from the media.
Trajan Bandy signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 2017 graduate and University of Miami standout was a two-year starter at Miami who recorded 90 tackles, nine for a loss, three sacks, 22 pass breakups, and four interceptions. His best statistical season was in 2018 when he had 36 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, two fumble recoveries, eight pass breakups, and three interceptions.
At the 2020 NFL Combine, Henderson ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash time for cornerbacks with a time of 4.39 seconds.
CJ played primarily running back at Columbus, notching 636 rushing yards combined during his final two seasons on the varsity level.
Josh Uche was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 2nd round, 60th pick overall. The 2016 graduate and University of Michigan standout spent much of his junior and senior seasons chasing down opposing quarterbacks and creating havoc in the backfield. He led the defense in sacks twice, racking up 15.5 during the 2018 (7.0 sacks) and 2019 (8.5) seasons. Uche played in 40 career games for the Wolverines, recording 56 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, one fumble record and two pass breakups.
In 2019, Uche was voted by his teammates as the Defensive Player of the Year after earning All-Big Ten second team honors from the coaches and third-team accolades from the media.
Trajan Bandy signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 2017 graduate and University of Miami standout was a two-year starter at Miami who recorded 90 tackles, nine for a loss, three sacks, 22 pass breakups, and four interceptions. His best statistical season was in 2018 when he had 36 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, two fumble recoveries, eight pass breakups, and three interceptions.
Christopher Columbus High School | 3000 SW 87 Avenue | Miami, FL 33165 | (305) 223-5650
Brotherhood, Faith, and Scholarship define the Marist Brothers Catholic education at Christopher Columbus High School. By making Jesus Christ known and loved and creating an inspiring academic and extracurricular environment, we prepare young men for higher learning and a life-long commitment to leadership and service through Gospel and Marist values.
Columbus is fully accredited by Cognia and is a member of the Marist Association of Secondary schools, the National Catholic Education Association and the Independent Schools of South Florida.
